LITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is honoring the heroism of a wildlife officer who died May 31 during flooding in western Arkansas.

The panel on Thursday posthumously awarded Joel Campora the Wildlife Officer of the Year Award. His wife was presented the flag that was flown in Waldron at her husband’s funeral. The couple had two children.

Campora died with Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter as they tried to rescue two women who were trapped by rising flood waters.

Also Thursday, the commission approved a budget increase of $44,800 for the purchase of swift-water rescue life vests for officers in its enforcement division.